Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-09-06
CATARRH.

THE TERM CATARRH is APPLIED TO A
i peculiar disorder of the nostrils and ad-
jacent parts, which prevails to an alarming
extent, and is productive of very serious
consequences
The most prominent and characteristic
feature is morbid discharge from the head
varying in its nature at different times.
In some there is an almost constant flow
of clear, aCrid fluid, but oftener an offensive
purulent or muco-purulent, greenisb yellow
matter is secreted, which accumulates in
the nostrils or drops into the throat, neces-
stating its frequent removal by blowing he
nose or expectoration, and often by both
processes. sometimes patients feel as
though their head was in state of rotten
ness, so great is the amount of matter dis
charged and SO fetid is its odor The pa
tlent Is greatly annoyed by the constant
dropping into the throat of the mo, bid
matter from the head, and as a recumbent
position naturally favors the flow downward
his rest is frequently disturbed from this
cause. Many sufferers are Obliged to lie 18th
the head very much elevated in order to
sleep with some degree OF comfort
In others tough, viscid and offensive
phlegm collects behind and above the soft
palate, in the passage between the throat and
head, adheripg to the parts with gluish tenac-
1ty. Its lodgment embarrasses respiration
and creates sensation of irritation and un-
eGsness in the affected locality, which gives
rise to constant and almost irresistible de-
sire to relieve that discomfort by drawing
the mucus into the throat so as to eject it by
the mouth. This practice, pOpularly known
as hawking" is characteristic of catarrh
and proves as embarrassing to the one af-
fected as IL is dlSagreeable to those around
him.
Again, the. offensive matter hardens and
deposits itself on the membrane in the shape
of dry, hard concretions, which are dis
charged by way of the nGstIils or throat in
humps or fragments of deep green tint. In
some cases these incrustations accumulate
to such an extent es to form q regular plug
in the nose, which obstructs breathing and
produce serious discomfort. So firmly do
these incrustations adhere to the point of
attachment that their removal usually re-
quires the most violent efforts: not unfre-
quently they have to be torn from the mem
brane. Occasionally II solid cast of notable
size is expelled, on which there are gene rally
traces OF blood, but in some cases the cast
presents tubular appearance, being of exact
shape OF the nasal cavity. This condition is
indicative of liberation, which, in time,
may destroy the bony structure of the nose
and produce subsequent fiattening of that
organ.
Cases are occasionally met with in which
thick, viscid, Shiny secretion coats the
membrane of the nasal cavities and then
putreties, giving rise to stencil which is
really oYerpowering, and sufficiently fetid
to poison the atmosphere of n whole ROOM
and there are Others in which all the secre-
tons of the mem brane are suspended caus-
ing an unpleasant feeling of dryness, heat
and feverishness in the head and nose-a
Coasith, condition popularly known as DRY
The disease speedily extends to the air
cavities of the bones of the forehead and
face, giving rise to dist essing sensation of
heayy weight or compression over the fore
head, especially in the region above and be-
tween the eyes, and to feeling of fulness,
heat, irritation, sor' ness or pal in the nos
trils near the root of the nose, as well as in
the upper part of the throat, above and be-
nj n1nf 90 ttt,,a., l.
pain obstinately fixed in some particular
part, as in the temple, on the top Of the
head, at the back of the neck, or behind the
orbits, and, occasionally, pain manifests
1tSen IN tne lace OF so severe Il character
that it is frequently mistaken for ne uralgia.
The breath is always tainted, and at times
assumes an exceeding fetid and sickening
0dor. lu some cases it becomes so revolt
object Of disgust to himself as well as to
others.
The nasal membrane is thickened and
contested, causing the nose to be stopped up,
other, and often on both, giving rise to a
disagre cable stuffy sensation in the head
and occasioning violent and prolonged
paroXysms of sneezing.
The voice Is weak, indistinct and husky
or of nasal character, displaying A sort of
smiling quality. Oftentimes there is con-
unuous hoarseness and discordance. There
is also sense of irritation in the part,
phlegm, producing the sound 'hem," more
or less forcibly. In some cases patients
complain OF an uncomfortable feeling Of
fuliness or choky sensation in the throat,
ana IN 0thcrs OF q distressing and almost
constant dryness, for the temporary relief of
which they have to swallow frequently.
Others again, speak of a constant bad or
nauseous taste in the mouth or throat.
The stomach generally suffers more or less
and becomes weak and irritable: the appe-
tlte is capricious and nearly always bad in
the morning. The patient is languid, unable
to perform mental or physical labor with
tne usual facility, is nervous, depressed in
spirits, at times fearful, timid, agtated and
inclined to drOwsiness and sleep, the mem
ory weakened and permanent impairment
seriously threatened.
The mucous membrane soon becomes
morbidly sensitive to unfavorable influ-
ences, and in spite of the utmost care be-
comes affected from the slightest causes, so
that at last breath of wind upon the lining
acold, and gives rise to serious disturbances
OF the respiratory organs. Thus the patient
is subject to frequent and repeated colds,
each attack aggravating the disease by CIV
extent of surface than its predecessor. In
this manner the difficulty spreads from or
gan to organ, invading the throat, larnyx,
trachea and bronchial tubes, until, en-
the finer qualifications of the bronchi, when
but slight impulse is required to send it to
the lungs. Catarrh may, and often does,
affect other organs in the body, especially
those contain ng mucous membrane, such
as the stomach bowels, kidneys, etc.
BY the employment OF proper inhalatI6ns
in the form of medicated vapor (not steam
or spray) we are able to produce i'm mediate
and direct action upon the diseased surface
in the pharynx and nasal passages, for air
will find its way into the most remote and
intricate cavities, where it is utterly impos-
sible to make fluid applications. By these
means every case can be cured.
Persons desiring treatment by this system
OF practice can use the remedy ut home as
well as at our office, and which will cause
whatever.
have seen so many of these cases cured
that do not consider any case hopeless un-
less the disease has advanced to the chest
and that both lungs are seriously involved.
Even then the Limitations aid us in dis
solving the mucus and in contracting and
healing the cavities, which nothing else can
40 with the same success. The very best
references rom those already cured.